- What happened to my Special Permit points when the Special Permit system changed in 2010?
Your points for each species were applied to each of the new subcategories created under the new system. For example, if you had 3 deer points prior to the change, you were credited 3 points in each of the new deer categories (e.g., Quality Deer, Buck Deer, Antlerless Deer, Deer 65 and Over, etc.).
- If I apply for a Special Permit with a group, are my chances of getting drawn better than if I apply by myself?
The answer is both yes and no. Since Special Permit group applications average Special Permit points in that category for all group members, those members with fewer points will benefit since the group’s average points are higher than their individual point total, whereas group members wi ...
- What is the value of building up Special Permit points?
Building up Special Permit points is very much like putting more tickets into the barrel. The Special Permit random drawing is completed separately for each category. Points are squared for our drawings meaning that a person with 1 point has 1 ticket in the barrel (1x1), whereas the person with ...
- How can I keep building Special Permit points even if I know I cannot hunt this year?
If you want to continue to build Special Permit points but want to make sure you do not get drawn, then you should submit your application with Points Option as your hunt choice. With Points Option your application cannot be awarded a permit and you will automatically accrue a point in that cat ...
- Do I build up one point for each hunt choice I select on my Special Permit application?
No. You only build up one point per species category per year regardless of how many hunt choices you submit your application with.
- What happens if my Special Permit group application is considered, but there are fewer permits left for our first hunt choice than there are members in my group?
Your group application would not be eligible for your first hunt choice and none of your group members on that application are awarded a permit for that hunt. That hunt choice will continue to be available until either an individual application or a group application with fewer members is consi ...
- Will I lose all my Special Permit points if I do not purchase an application this year?
No. You are in the Special Permit drawing system for the life of the system. Your points will be waiting for you when you apply again, even if it is several years. Your Special Permit points are reduced to zero when you are drawn for a permit. Please keep in mind that the only way to gain point ...
- How does the Special Permit drawing work? I heard that points have multipliers on them. What is that for and does it improve my chances of being drawn?
To figure this out, think of our Special Permit drawing like a drawing where you pull a ticket out of a barrel. Each Special Permit category is a separate random drawing. All applicants per category are issued tickets to place into the barrel based on the number of points they have in that cate ...
- How do I build up Special Permit points?
A single point is earned each year you purchase a Special Permit application. You continue to build points in each Special Permit category until you are drawn. You can purchase one Special Permit application per category per year. If drawn, your Special Permit points in that category will drop ...
- Why did WDFW change the Special Permit system?
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) made changes to the way random drawings are conducted for Special Permits beginning with the 2010 Special Permit drawings. There were several objectives to changing the way that the permit system application process was conducted. The primar ...
- Why does the Department of Fish and Wildlife award Special Permits and what game species are affected?
Special Permits are awarded for a variety of wildlife management purposes. In most cases they are awarded to control a species' population size. In other cases they provide special recreational opportunities. Species for which Special Permits are awarded include deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, ...
- Can I transfer my deer Special Permit points to elk? How about from one deer category to another deer category? Can I transfer or donate my Special Permit points to another hunter?
No. Points are not transferable to other species. Points are also not transferable from one species category to another (such as moving Youth Deer points to Quality Deer). Points cannot be donated to any other hunter, including family members.
- How will the new revenue be spent?
Additional revenue raised by selling Special Permit applications will be used to expand hunter access on private land, leading to greater hunting opportunities.
- Are there application cards for Special Permits?
Application cards are no longer used and no paper applications of any kind are accepted. You can now purchase Special Permits in three ways: 1) Online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wdfw/special_permits.html 2) License Vendor 3) Call 1-866-246-9453 You can submit Special Permits in two ways. 1) ...
- Will there still be partnerships?
There are still "partnerships," but the system now allows more than two hunters for some game animal species. We now call these "Groups" which consist of the Leader of the Group and Member(s) of the Group. You may also apply as an Individual. The maximum group sizes for each species category ar ...
- How does Special Permit hunt choices work?
After the computer randomly orders Special Permit applications for each category, it moves through each application and each application’s hunt choices. When the first application is reviewed, the first hunt choice is awarded since that application had the first pick. As the computer move ...
